Smoking composition



United States Patent O SMOKING COMPOSITION Joseph Finberg, Chicago,Ill., assignor to ERR-Tobacco Products Co., Inc., Chicago, 11]., acorporation of Illinols No Drawing. Application May 7, 1958 Serial No.733,478

17 Claims. (Cl. 131-17) -"The present invention generally relates toimproved smoking compositions and more particularly relates to improvedcigarette, cigar and pipe smoking compositions 2,930,720 Paiented Mar.29,

ICC

and the like, which have no nicotine-containing ingredicuts and tosimilar compositions which contain decreased amounts of nicotine, butall of which compositions have smoking properties comparable to those ofconventional tobacco smoking compositions.

In recent years, there has been considerable investigation of thephysiological effects of conventional tobacco smoke on the human system.For the most part, investigators of such effects are in agreement thattobacco smoke is detrimental to the smokers health.. Although all of thesubstances in ordinary tobacco smoke which are toxic to the human systemhave not as yet been determined, investigations have clearly shown thatnicotine in the concentrations usually present in tobacco smoke is oneingredient of the smoke that is definitely toxic to the smoker. As iswell known, nicotine is widel used as a toxic agent, particularly infumigants and in insecticides. Moreover, it has been found that aslittle as 40 milligrams of nicotine may be fatal to a human wheninjected directly into the circulatory system.

Analyses indicate that dried tobacco leaves usually contain from about1.5 percent to about 8 percent by weight of nicotine, combined with anorganic acid, such as citric acid or malic acid. When tobacco is burned,a substantial amount of the nicotine in the tobacco is volatilized andis entrained in the tobacco smoke. When the smoke is inhaled by asmoker, a considerable proportion of the volatilized nicotine in thesmoke is rapidly absorbed through the mucous membranes of the upperrespiratory tract into the human circulatory system. The nicotine isthen available to produce a number of undesirable effects upon thesmoker. A small amount of nicotine may also be taken up in the saliva ofthe smoker and be swallowed. The nicotine may then pass through thegastro-intestinal tract into the circulatory system. The same is truefor any tobacco smoke inhaled or swallowed during smoking.

It has been demonstrated that the inhalation of tobacco smoke bringsabout a pronounced physiological effect upon the cardiovascular systemof the smoker, which eflfect is directly related to the nicotine contentof the smoke inhaled. 7

It has been estimated that when a standard cigarette weighingapproximately 1 gram is smoked, perhaps 3 milligrams of nicotine. areabsorbed into the human physiological system from the approximately to80 milligrams present in the cigarette smoke (1.5 to 8 percent byweight). The absorption of nicotine in such concentrations into thehuman physiological system establishes a condition of vase-constrictionin the cardiovascular system of the smoker. At times, such constrictionmay be sufficiently severe to produce spasms or irregular muscularcontractions of the heart and blood vessels. This vase-constriction ofthe blood vessels is and concomitant rise in systolic and diastolicblood pres sure.

The inhalation of nicotine in the usual concentrations in tobacco smokealso appears to have a pronounced effect in contributing to the causeand symptoms of thromboangiitis obliterans (Buergers disease) andvarious manifestations of coronary artery disease, such as anginapectoris. It appears that the nicotine acts as a contributory agentrather than a primary cause of these diseases.

Another undesirable physiological eflectproduced by the nicotine inordinary tobacco smoke is an increase in gastric acidity in the smoker.This efiect is particularly pronounced in persons who are suffering frompeptic ulcers. g v

It is also well known that tobacco smoke irritates the bronchi, lungsand associated areas of the upper-respiratory tract, frequently causingwhat is known as smokers cough.

Attempts have been made by various tobacco manuf-acturers to eliminateor to substantially reduce the amount of nicotine in tobacco to levelswhich would not produce pronounced physiological effects, such'as thosedescribed. However, none of such attempts have been proven to becompletely successful. Such attempts have been largely directed tocigarette tobacco in contrast to pipe tobacco and cigars, and may bedivided into two major categories: (1) those attempts which have beendirected to the removal, as by extraction, of all or most of thenicotine from the tobacco itself before use thereof; and, (2) thoseattempts which have been directed to the removal, as by filters or thelike connected .to'the cigarette, of allor most of the nicotine from thesmoke during use of the smoking composition.

None of the so-called de-nicotinized tobaccos which have beencommercially produced have a nicotine .content reduced by a sufficientextent to materially lessen or avoid the harmful elfects of nicotine.Moreover, such attempts to de-nicotinize tobaccoare relatively expensiveand time consuming and frequentlyresult in an undesir: able modificationof certain qualities of the tobacco other than the nicotine content,such astaste and appearance, so that the product is commerciallyunappealing.

Also discouraging is the fact that commercially available cigarettefilters which do not destroy the characteristic tobacco taste of thesmoke and also which do not seriously retard the passage of the smokeinto the mouth of the smoker, reduce the nicotine content of. the smokeso slightly that the physiological eifect on the smoker'is usuallyaltered only to an insignificant extent.

Tobacco manufacturers have found that, generally, those filters thatsubstantially reduce the nicotine content of the smoke also filter out alarge percentage of the" flavor-imparting substances in the smoke.

mild tobacco is substantially lowered below that of the usual types ofunfiltered cigarettes prepared from the" However, such tobaccosgenerally also have increased: nicotine concentrations over high qualitymild tobaccos. Accordingly, although some flavor-imparting substances;

and nicotine are trapped by the filter during smoking, the smoke whichpasses into the smokers mouth may be comparable in nicotineconcentration and flavor-imparting substances with the smoke fromunfiltered cigarettes utii;

Accordingly,f when the nicotine content of smoke from high qualitylizing mild high quality tobaccos. Accordingly, the physiologicaleffects attributable to nicotine have not been alleviated by suchmeasures.

Since the deleterious effects of nicotine cannot be avoided: byfiltering the smoke or extracting the nicotine from tobacco by currentmethods Without rendering the tobacco. composition commerciallyunsatisfactory, the need has existed for a commercially acceptablenicotinefree tobacco-like composition which can be utilized as asmoking, composition. There has also been a need for a composition whichcontains nicotine in reduced concent-rations, preferably thoseconcentrations which are not harmful to the smoker of the composition.Such com position, whether nicotine-free or containing a decreasedamount of nicotine, must be commercially satisfactory by reason oftaste, color, flavor, texture and other smoking qualities.

1. have now discovered improved smoking compositions having propertieswhich render them commercially acceptable and which have certaindistinct advantages over the usual tobacco smoking compositions. Thesmoking compositions of the present invention are equally adaptable foruse in cigarettes, cigars and pipes and are either substantially orcompletely free of nicotine or may contain nicotine in concentrationsranging to well below those of conventional commercially acceptablenicotinecontaining cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco mixtures, so as'to decrease or wholly eliminate the. toxic effects attributable to thenicotine present in the conventional tobacco smoking compositions.Effective control of the nicotine content is achieved so that anynicotine concentration can be obtained in the composition withoutfiltering, extracting or the like. Moreover, the improved compositionsof the present invention are completely commercially satisfactory. Theyfill the long existing need for smooth tasting smoking compositions withtobacco burning qualities, flavor, taste and appearance. Thecompositions can be formed into high quality cigarettes, cigars and pipemixtures. Moreover, the composi' tions can be adjusted so that the smoketherefrom does not irritate but, on the contrary, soothes the humanupperrespiratory tract, in contrast to conventional tobacco smoke.

The most important ingredient of my improved smoking compositioncomprises dried, cured leaves from the papaya plant, technically knownas the Carica papaya, a member of the Caricaceae family of plants. Thepapaya plant is also known as the melon tree and the pawpaw. The Carica,papaya plant, is in the mature state usually in the form of anunbranched tree of approximately 20 feet in height, with palmately sevenlobed leaves of large size. The papaya plant is indigenous to tropicalAmerica, Hawaii and various other tropical countries.

For the purposes of the present invention, the leaves of the papayaplant are processed in accordance with conventional methods of tobaccoprocessing. The prosessed papaya leaves when incorporated in thefinished smoking compositions have substantially the same color, textureand burning qualities as processed nicotine-containing tobacco but aresubstantially non-irritating to the human upper respiratory tract and,of evenmore irnpcrtance, contain no nicotine. The leaves of the papayaplant can be readily substituted for or utilized in combination withprocessed tobacco leaves in the preparaion of improved smokingcompositions for cigarettes, cigars, pipe mixtures and the like.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provideimproved smoking compositions, particularly for use in cigarettes,cigars, pipe mixtures and the like. A further object of the presentinvention is to provide improved smoking compositions includingnonnrcotine-containing vegetable fibers. It is also an object of thepresent invention to provide smoking compositions containing at leastsubstantially reduced amounts of nicotine but which have improvedsmoking characteristics.

Another object of the present invention is to provide nicotine-freesmoking compositions, which compositions have taste, color, texture andburning qualities closely resembling those of standard, commerciallyavailable nicotinecontaining tobacco products. It is also an object ofthe present invention to provide new smoking compositions which producenone of the harmful effects normally caused by the nicotine present inconventional tobacco smoking compositions, and the smoke from which newsmoking compositions is substantially non-irritating to the human upperrespiratory tract. It is a further object of the present invention toprovide a smoking composition wherein a selected ingredient can besubstituted for tobacco without substantially affecting the desirablesmoking qualities of the composition, including taste, texture,appearance, burning properties and the like, while still reducing oreliminating the nicotine content thereof and, preferably, certaindeleterious effects attributable to the nicotine.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom a study of the following detailed description.

It has been found that papaya leaves when processed inthe same manner astobacco leaves are substantially equivalent thereto in those desirablefeatures upon which the commercialacceptahility of tobacco smokingcompositions is based. The papaya leaves have the further advantage ofbeing inexpensive, non-irritating and nicotine free. As. previouslypointed out, the flavor, taste, appearance, burning qualities and otherdesirable characteristics of the smoking compositions are notdepreciated by the introduction of papaya leaves in such compositions.Any substitution of papaya leaves for tobacco in a smoking composition,in accordance with the present invention represents an improvement inthe composition, due to a reduction in the irritating quality of thesmoke of the composition and also to a decrease in the nicotine contentthereof. Since the eifects of nicotine on the human system may beconsidered to be somewhat cumulative and are directly related to theconcentration of nicotine, the decrease in nicotine concentrationbenefits the smoker, the greater the decrease the greater the benefit.It is desirable that the reduction in the nicotine content bysubstitution of papaya leaves for tobacco be substantial. Preferably,such substitution is carried out to such an extent that the nicotinecontent of the product is below that which will produce a discerniblephysiological reaction. on the smoker. It is within the scope of. thepresent invention to provide nicotine-free smoking compositionscontaining no tobacco, that is, where nicotine-containing tobacco iscompletely replaced in the composition by papaya leaves. Suchcompositions may, if desired, comprise papaya leaves and any desiredflavoring, emulsifying or other conditioning agents and/or bindingagents usual to smoking compositions, since papaya leaves canbesubstituted for tobacco on a one to one weight basis withoutdeleteriously aflfecting the quality of the smoking composition. Suchcomplete adaptability of the papaya leaves in smoking, compositionseither in substitution for or in combination with tobacco is highlybeneficial and of distinct commercial advantage.

It has been found that in order to assure that the smoking compositionof the present invention will have the desirable smoking characteristicsassociated with the usual tobacco smoking composition, including aroma,taste, texture, burning qualities and other similar features, a certainamount of processed papaya leaves and tobacco leaves should be presentin the smoking composition. Such leaves should preferably have. beenfirst subjected to the usual tobacco processing steps, including dryingand curing and which may also include, for example, sweating, fermentingand aging, or their equivalents in preparing the leaves forincorporationin the smoking composition. In this connection, the termprocessed papaya leaves and tobacco leaves is meant to include, but notlimit the present invention to, those leaves which undergo one or morecuring or aging or similar processing steps during production of thesmoking composition and as an incident thereto.

The sum total of the processed tobacco and papaya leaves present in thefinished smoking composition should be at least about 70 percent byweight of the total amount of fibrous material, including leaves, in thecomposition, preferably at least about 90 percent by weight of thefibrous material, including leaves, in the composition. By fibrousmaterial is meant selected vegetable fibers and/or leaves includingthose hereinafter more specifically set forth. The total amount offibrous material in the composition should be at least about 70 percentby weight of the finished composition. The remainder of the composition,if any, that is, up to about 30 percent by Weight of the finishedcomposition, comprises other materials, as hereinafter more specificallyset forth. Accordingly, the sum total of processed papaya leaf andtobacco leaf present in the finished smoking composition should be atleast about 49 percent by weight of the finished composition.

' Where the finished smoking composition contains no processed tobaccowhatever, processed papaya leaves should be present in an amount atleast about 70 percent by weight of the fibrous constituents of thecomposition and at least 49 percent by weight of the composition. Innicotine-free compositions containing no tobacco, a satisfactory smokingcomposition With the necessary color, texture, flavor and burningqualities for a commercially acceptable product cannot be obtained ifthe concentration of processed papaya leaves is below that specified.

Accordingly, a part of my invention comprises the provision of acomposition containing processed papaya leaves but no tobacco leaves.Vegetable fibers or leaves other than tobacco and papaya may also bepresent in the finished composition up to about 30 percent by weight ofthe fibrous material in the composition. In addition, small amounts oftobacco conditioning agents, including moisture, flavoring agents,humectants and the like, usually present in smoking compositions, may beutilized, the total of such constituents not exceeding about 30 percentby weight of final composition.

Where processed papaya leaves are utilized together with processedtobacco leaves in the smoking composition e.g. to dilute theconcentration of nicotine in the composition, it has been found, aspreviously indicated, that in order to provide a satisfactory smokingproduct it is necessary that the total amount, by weight, of the papayaleaves and tobacco leaves be at least 70 percent by weight of thefibrous materials in the finished product, preferably at least about 90percent by weight of the fibrous material in the finished product.

The remainder, if any, of the product may include the followingmaterials, in the amounts as previously indicated: (1) one or moreselected and processed non-nicotine-containing vegetable fibers and/ orleaves; and/or, (2) the usual tobacco conditioning agents and/ orbinding agents and other materials.

Among the non-nicotine-containing vegetable fibers or leaves which maybe mixed with papaya leaves and tobacco in making up the total amount offibrous material in the smoking composition, and which are particularlyeifective are processed hop leaves, primrose leaves and coltsfootleaves. Those smoking compositions of the present invention whichinclude coltsfoot leaves have an especially soothing effect upon themucous membranes of the human upper resipratory tract. However, inaddition, the processed and unprocessed fibers and leaves from thefollowing vegetable species can be employed in the improved smokingcomposition:

Beet leaves Marrubium vulgare leaves Groundsell Zea maize RhubarbComfrey Stinging nettle Mallow Sorrel Prickly broom Oak leaves AngosturaCascarilla Mamey Silkana Anona Star apple Leaves Robinia pseudoacaciaFolia Adonis vernalis Wormwood leaves Angelica Fatsia japonica Bebeerutree leaves Dutch rose leaves Flag lily Spinach leaves Corn silk Carrottops Soy fibers Sweet elder flower Chamomile leaves (Span- 0x tongueChestnut Eucalyptus Golden-regen Maple leaves Patchouli Rose leavesSapodilla Ceriman Soursop Guava Folia Asmina' triolba Althea leavesFerula sumbul Aralia spinose Leaves of melilot (yellow) Trilisaodoratissima Cyprepedium flower Candelila plant Cabbage leaves Lettuceleaves Calendula ofiicinallis Mentha piperita leaves Droserarotundifolia ish) Cassia senna (Indian) Crocus sativa (French orSpanish) Vanilla planz'folia Yerba mate leaves Cassia fistula Carthamustincrorius Paraguay tea leaves Ilex paraguensis Nasturtium leaves.Ethovan or vanirome During the preparation of the final smokingcomposie tion, as previously indicated, conditioning agents and/orbinding agents and other materials may be added to the mixture offibrous ingredients. The conditioning agents are usually mixed with thedried and cured smoking mixture during casing of the mixture, as inconventional about 12.5 percent to about 17.5 percent of the totalWeight of the finished smoking composition, although amounts of up toabout 30 percent by weight can be utilized. The following is a list ofthe better known ingredients which can be combined in the casingmaterial to treat the dried cured smoking mixture.

Essential oils Honey Gum karaya Sucrose Rum flavor Anise Mapeline Gumresins Juniper Vanillin Molasses Clove Vanilla bean Propylene glycolAngelica Fruit flavors Apple juice Prune juice Tragacanth Apple ciderTonka bean Gum arabic Either niacin or rutin or both substances may alsobe incorporated in the smoking composition, if desired, preferably bybeing added to the casing, material. Both niacin and rutin have certainbeneficial effects in smoking compositions. I e i When a smokingcomposition containing niacin is smoked, niacin passes into the smokeand is brought into contact with the mucous membranes of the upperrespiratory tract of the smoker. The niacin is then at least in partabsorbed from the smoke and is passed through the mucous membranes intothe human circulatory system. The absorbed niacin causes a dilation ofthe blood vessels of the smoker with a resultant relaxation of tensionand the production of an overall pleasant or satisfied feeling(euphoria). The amount of niacin used in substantially all instances inthesmoking compositions should be within the general range of from about0.1 to about 2.5 percent by weight of the final smoking composition.Smaller amounts have decreased effects, while larger amounts areunnecessary therapeutically.

Rutin may be included in the smoking composition to prevent capillaryfragility in the smoker of the composition. It has been foundthat theamount of rutin which should be added to the smoking composition toprovide the desired effect is also from about 0.1 percent to about 2.5percent by weight of the entire smoking composition. The variousadvantages of including niacin and rutin in smoking compositions arefully disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 462,389,entitled Improved Smoking Composition," filed on October 14, 1954.

In preparing the smoking compositions of the present invention, theleaves and any fibers which may be present, that is, the total amount offibrous constituents are preferably first processed to the dried andcured state. After such processing, the leaves and fibers are blendedtogether with additional materials and subjected to certain proceduresto convert the mixture to the desired final form, that is, to cigars,cigarettes and pipe mixtures.

In the processing of the specified papaya and other leaves and fibers tothe dried and cured state, conven tional tobacco processing techniquesor equivalent techniques can be employed. In this connection, the papayaleaves, for example, may be dried and cured, as by sun drying, or byexposing the leaves to air currents and artificial. heat, or by anyother equivalent means convenient to conventional tobacco drying andcuring. During curing, papaya leaves lose their chlorophyl, becomeflexible and change color to approximate that of nicotine-containingtobacco. As indicated, the other types of vegetable leaves and/or fibersutilizable in the compositions of the present invention may also bedried and cured according to conventional tobacco processing techniques.

The vegetable leaves and fibers, including papaya and tobacco leaves,may be subjected to the drying and curing operations separately or inadmixture. The processing may also include. sweating, fermenting andaging under suitable conventional tobacco processing conditions to fullydevelop the desirable. properties of the smoking ingredients. Theprocessed leaves and fibers can then be stored until ready forconversion into the final form of composition of the present invention.Alternatively, curing, aging and similar treating steps subsequent todrying can be carried out during the conversion of the smokingcomposition into final form.

Subsequent to drying and curing but before conversion of the vegetableleaves and fibers to the final prod net, the leaves and fibers may beseparately shredded and graded according to conventional tobaccoprocessing techniques to. eliminate undesired coarse stems, veins andthe like. Thereafter, the different types or leaves and fibers may bemixed together in the desired proportions in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention. Alternatively, the various selectedvegetable fibers and leaves, including papaya leaves, after drying andcuring can be mixed together in the proper proportions before shreddingand grading. It should be noted that the shredding and grading steps maybe carried out or eliminated as called for by the particular conversionmethod utilized.

In this connection, smoking mixtures may be subjected to eitherhomogenization or to non-homogeniza tion procedures. The homogenizationprocedures include steps of grinding up and later reconstituting theleaves and/or fibres, so that grading may not be necessary, while thenon-homogenization techniques do not include such steps. For example, inthe preparation of cigarette mixtures by a non-homogenization techniqueit is usually advantageous to remove by grading the coarsest veins andstems which would provide the mix ture with an undesirable uneventexture. However, where a cigarette mixture isprepared byhomogenization, it is often advantageous not to grade out the stems andveins of papaya leaves which impart a lighter color to the smokingmixture, since such light color may be desirable in the product.

Conventional non-homogenization techniques for the conversion ofprocessed tobacco leaves into smoking com position can be employed forthe compositions of the present invention. Such techniques usuallyinclude, after the described shredding and grading steps, where desiredor necessary, mixing of the various leaves. and fibers together in thedesired proportions, if this has not already been carried out, followedby a casing step, utilizing the conventional conditioning agentspreviously specified, to which rutin and niacin may be added, ifdesired.

In the casing step, the mixture of leaves and/or fibers, that is, thefibrous material or mixture including papaya, is sprayed or otherwisecontacted with the casing mate rial until such mixture has a casingmaterial content of from about 30 to about 35 percent. In certaincircumstances, it may be desirable to eliminate the casing step, inwhich event the dried and cured leaf mixture may merely be adjusted tothe desired moisture content by the addition thereto of water, as byspraying, steaming, etc.

In accordance with conventional non-homogenization practice, after themixture of leaves and/or fibers and easing material has reached a casingcontent of from about 30 to about 35 percent, it is placed in a heatedroom and heated under pressure, as for example, 10,000 to 20,000 poundsper square inch, to bring about an aroma which closely resembles that ofpure nicotine-conraining tobacco. i t should be understood that suchmixture may include tobacco and/or vegetable leaves and fiberspreviously described, and does include papaya leaves. During thisheating step, the moisture content of the mixture is reduced byevaporation to between about 7 and about 12 /2 percent by weight offinal composition.

The heated mass may then be shredded or re-shredded, as desired, toproduce strands of suitable size for the manufacture of a compositionparticularly for use as a smoking composition for cigarettes, pipes andthe like. The stranded mixture may then be aged or ripened. The agingtechnique fully develops the taste,

flavor, appearance and other qualities of the product. After the agingstep, the mixture may be sprayed with a small amount of moisture,flavoring agent and/or humectant or the like. It is then ready for finalforming, packaging and distribution. It should be understood that thedescribed technique is only illustrative and that any other conventionaltobacco processing techniques would also be satisfactory.

In the case of a pipe mixture, the mass of smoking material may be leftunshredded until ready for aging or use, at which time it is preferablypressed into blocks under considerable pressure and is then sliced intodesired sizes in order to impart to the pipe mixture suitable textureand burning qualities. In the case of a cigarette mixture, the finishedsmoking composition may be passed to cigarette making equipment to beencased in cigarette paper and otherwise transformed into finishedcigarettes.

Conventional non-homogenization tobacco conversion techniques such asthose described can be satisfactorily employed in the preparation ofsmoking compositions of the present invention, particularly cigaretteand pipe mixtures and, in fact, are preferred over homogenizationtechniques for pipe mixture manufacture. However, in the case ofcigarette and cigar manufacture, it has been found that conventionalhomogenization techniques are preferable. Such homogenization techniquescan also be utilized to advantage in the manufacture of pipe mixtures.

Homogenization' techniques, in general, provide smoother, more uniform,veinless and stemless products of pleasing appearance and high quality.In the case of pipe mixtures, a somewhat non-uniform textured smokingcomposition is expected by the smoker, so that homogenization need notbe employed. However, with cigarettes uniformity of appearance, texture,flavor, taste and burning properties is of considerable importance. Whenthe cigarette mixture contains a number of ingredients, as

is the usual case, it is preferable to obtain uniformity in I the blendby a homogenization technique. Stems and veins should either be removedfrom the smoking mixture, as by grading, or be ground up to small size,as per the homogenization technique. Presence of the stems and veins isadvisable Where a considerable proportion of dried cured papaya leaf isutilized in the blend because of the lighter color of the stems andveins, which color is imparted to the smoking mixture. Light color istraditionally associated with milder higher quality smoking mixtures.

Accordingly, homogenization of cigarette smoking mixtures to providesmoother higher quality mixtures is preferred. Such homogenization canbe carried out on a shredded or unshredded smoking mixture. There is noneed to grade the mixture before homogenization. The homogenization canproceed according to any of the conventional homogenization procedureswhich heretofore have been utilized with respect to tobacco, as, forexample, those set forth in US. Patent No. 2,598,680, issued June 3,1952, to W. G. Frankenburg, US. Patent No. 2,592,554, issued April 15,1952, to the same inventor, and U.S. Patent No. 2,592,553, issued April15, 1952, to W. G. Frankenburg and P. W. Garbo. As the first step in atypical homogenization technique, the smoking mixture can be ground orchopped up in any of the several well known types of pulverizersutilizable for the purpose. As previously indicated, the mixture mayinclude stems and veins.

The grinding is preferably carried out to provide a ground smokingmixture substantially all of which will pass through a 100 mesh screen.The mixture may vary somewhat in composition according to intended use,that is, cigarettes, cigars or pipe mixtures. A coarser or finer mixturecan also be prepared as desired.

The ground mixture is then treated with binding agents with or Withoutconditioning agents, as previously described. Such treatment can becarried out at about ambient temperature. The binding agent acts toconvert the ground mixture into a workable plastic mass which can berolled out into sheets and which will hold together, even when dry. Thebinding agent for this purpose may, for example, comprise a gel-formingmaterial, such as sodium alginate or a water-soluble derivative ofcellulose, such as methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose orhydroxyethyl cellulose, in aqueous or other solution or dispersion. Apreferred derivative is one which has a viscosity of at least 1500centipoises at about 25 C. when about 2 percent, by weight, is dissolvedin water. The aqueous solution is usually utilized in an amount ofbetween about 2 and about 6 parts by weight to 1 part by weight of theground mixture, that is, to provide a paste of the con sistency of neatcement mortar when the mixture and solution are admixed. In the finisheddry state the smoking compositions contain any suitable amount of thebinding agent, preferably between about 3 and about 8 percent by weight.

Other materials in addition to the binding agent and the conditioningagents, such as humectants, flavoring agents, emulsifiers and the like,may be added to the ground mixture. These include bentonite or othersimilar substances which add strength and minimize crumbling of themixture, While improving the burning qualities. Niacin and rutin may beadded. Glycerine or other plasticizer in a small amount, for example,about 2 percent by weight or more, can also be added to the mixture.Fine glass fibers of about 0.002 inch diameter may also be added insmall amount to increase the resiliency and flexibility of the product.smoking mixture is within the skill of one versed in the art and willnecessarily depend on the intended use of the composition, and thedesired characteristics of the product.

After the addition of the binder, conditioning agents and othercompounds if any and after mixing of the ground mixture therewith toform a plastic mass, the mass can then be rolled out into thin sheets orextruded into thin ribbons or otherwise pressed or formed into desiredshapes by any suitable means.

If the smoking composition is to be utilized only for pipe mixturesand/or cigarettes, thin ribbons may be preferred, although large sheetscould also be utilized by appropriate shredding. Where the smokingcomposition is to be utilized mainly for cigars, sheets are desired.

The sheets, ribbons or other desired shapes of formed material are thendried under any suitable temperature conditions to a coherentself-supporting product having a moisture content of, for example,between about 7 and about 12 /2 percent by weight. In this connection, arelatively low temperature, for example, about 50 C. may be employed.However, if desired, elevated temperatures up to about 700 C. or moremay be utilized for short periods of time, such elevated temperatureshaving the effect of somewhat curing and/or aging the smoking mixture,that is, processing it, as previously described.

After the sheets, ribbons, etc. are dried to the desired degree theythen can be shredded or otherwise shaped or worked :to. appropriateform. and size. It is sometimes preferred, to subject the dried sheets,ribbons, etc. to humidification conditions, as for example, 1020 C. and70-80 percent humidity, in order to increase their plasticity andflexibility, thereby facilitating the final forming operations.Furthermore, a final spraying with casing material may be carried out,if desired. In the case of a cigarette smoking mixture, the shreddedmixture may, for example, be humidified, sprayed lightly with casingmaterial and then passed to cigarette forming machinery for furthercutting, shaping and encasing in cigarette paper and packaging. Pipemixtures, after suitable shredding and/or cutting operations to providethe finished texture, may also be humidified and/or sprayed with casingmaterials before final packaging.

Sheets of the dried homogenized smoking mixture may be convertedintocigars without shredding and according to the same techniques whichare conventionally applicable to the formation of cigars from dried,cured tobacco leaves. In this connection, homogenization techniques arecontrolled so that the dried sheets have suitable transverse andlongitudinal tensile strength, smooth texture, even-smoking qualities,good combustion and the like and can be utilized as the fillers andbinders of cigars. Since cigar wrappers constitute not more than about16 percent by weight of the cigars, tobacco wrappers can, of course, beutilized with the fillers and/or binders of the present invention forcigar manufacture while still providing cigars with reduced nicotineleveland improved properties.

Of course, sheets of the dried homogenized smoking mixture can also beutilized for the cigar wrapper. In the preparation of such sheets forthe wrapper it is preferred to somewhat increase the fiexibilityof themixture by increasing the proportion of plasticizers, such, asglycerine, added to the ground mixture before or during forming into thewet plastic mass, over. that previously specified. In addition, gums,glass fibers and bentonite may be added to the mixture, also to increasethe flexibility of the finished sheet. 1

In addition, it is preferred that the wrapper for a-cigar have alighter, more golden hue than the filler and binder, Accordingly, ahigher percentage of papaya veins and stems is added ,to the mixtureutilized for the wrapper before grinding, in order to lighten theultimate colorof-the' The selection of materials to be added to theasaoazo sheet, particularly if papaya leaves are to be present in themixture to a substantial extent. Of course, light mild tobacco may beutilized, if desired, to a higher percentage in the wrapper mixture thanin the binder and filler mixtures, in order to impart the desired goldencolor. The relative percentages of the constituents within the rangepreviously specified for the smoking compositions of the presentinvention will necessarily depend upon the particular constituents, inaddition to papaya leaves, selected for use in forming the cigarwrapper, binder and filler, as Well as the cigarette and pipe smokingmixtures.

Other homogenization procedures than those set forth can be employed toprovide the desired improved smoking compositions.

The following examples more particularly illustrate certain features ofthe present invention.

Example I Percent by weight of Constituents: final composition Vanillin0.50 Maple sugar 0.50 Gum karaya 1.00 Glycerine 3.00 Water 7.50

Excess water was added to facilitate spraying. The

spraying during tumbling of the papaya leaf was continued until thecasing material was present in approximately the indicated amount exceptthat the excess water was present to provide a total casing content ofabout 35 percent. The papaya leaf containing the casing material wasthen passed into a warm room where it was kept under an elevatedtemperature and a pressure of about 10,000 pounds per square inch untilthe moisture content was reduced to approximately 12 /2 percent byweight. The papaya leaf was then placed in drums and ripened for aperiod in excess of four months. When fully ripened, the papaya leaf wasspread out and again sprayed with a small amount of the same casingmaterial as previously used, so that the final concentration of thecasing in. terial, as previously set forth, was reached.

The product was then ready to be cut or shredded and then incorporatedinto cigarettes, pipe mixtures and other tobacco-like products. Aportion of the mixture was converted into a pipe mixture by firstplacing it into a press and then compressing it into blocks. The blockswere then fed into a slicer where they were cut into slices.

The resulting mixture contained no tobacco or nicotinecontainingingredients, but had substantially the same texture, flavor, aroma andburning qualities as tobacco. In addition, the mixture had a soothingeffect on the mucous membranes of the smoker, and was generally a verysatisfactory smoking composition.

Example 11 A non-nicotine containing smoking composition was preparedfrom cured papaya leaf, as specified in Example I.

After grading, the cured papaya leaf was tumbled in a hollow rotatingcylinder. During tumbling, the papaya leaf was continuously sprayed withthe following casing material:

Percent by Weight of the Constituents: final smoking composition Lupulin0.25 Maple sugar 0.25 Caramel 1.25

Licorice root 0.50

Rutin 0.50

Niacin 0.50

Glycerol 3.00 Distilled H O 7.00

Excess water was added to the composition before spraying. The sprayingwas continued until the casing material was present in approximately theindicated amount, except that excess water was present so that the totalcasing content of the papaya leaf was 30 to 35 percent, after which thepapaya leaf-casing mixture was heated and pressed, the moisture beingreduced to 7 percent by weight, and the mixture was then aged in themanner et forth in Example I. After the aging step, the mixture wassprayed with a small amount of the casing material. After spraying, the.mixture was cut as desired and was then ready for use as a finished pipesmoking composition.

in addition to being free of nicotine while having substantially thesame smoking characteristics as tobacco, the finished smokingcomposition had beneficial therapeutic characteristics due to thepresence of effective amounts of niacin and rutin which were included inthe casing material.

Example III A nicotine-containing smoking composition having reducedirritant effects on the human upper respiratory tract and asubstantially reduced concentration of nicotine Was prepared from amixture of vegetable fibers of the following composition:

Percent by weight Constituents: of finished product Papaya leaves 75Tobacco 10 The vegetable fiber mixture was processed in the mannerpreviously described in Examples I and II, except that the followingcasing material was utilized:

Percent by weight Constituents: of finished product Lupulin 0.25 Maplesugar 0.25 Caramel 2.00

Licorice root 0.50 Rutin 0.50 Niacin 0.50 Glycerol 4.00 Distilled H O7.00

The proportion of niacin used in the casing material was sumcient tocompensate in the finished smoking composition for theverso-constricting action on the usual smoker of the nicotine containedin the tobacco. This composition Was found to be particularly suitable,with respect to texture and appearance, for use as a pipe mixture.Moreover, the nicotine content of the composition was reduced to such anextent that the harmful effects of the nicotinecontaining tobacco weresubstantially avoided, while still maintaining desirable smokingproperties equivalent to those of pure tobacco.

Example IV A satisfactory nicotine-containing composition particularlyfor use as a pipe mixture and having a considerably reduced tobaccoconcentration while still retaining excellent smoking properties wasprepared from a mixture of vegetable fibers of the followingcomposition:

' Percent by weight Constituents: of finished product Papaya leaves35.00 Tobacco 35.00 Coltsfoot leaves 2.50 Eucalyptus leaves 2.50

The vegetable mixture was processed in the manner previously describedin Examples I to III, inclusive, the following casing material beingutilized:

Percent by weight Constituents: of finished product Lupulin 0.50 Maplesugar 0.50 Caramel 3.00 Licorice root 0.50 Rutin 1.00 Niacin 1.50

Glycerol 6.50 Distilled H O 11.50

1 An improved smoking composition, particularly suitable for use incigarettes, was prepared by an homogenization technique from papayalea"es and tobacco previously cured in a conventional manner.

Whole cured papaya leaves and tobacco leaves, together with a smalladditional amount, about 2 percent, of papaya leaf stems, were ground toa powder, all of which passed through a 100 mesh screen.

The ground mixture of papaya and tobacco was then mixed with an aqueoussolution of a binder and a casing material comprising humectants,flavoring agents and containing other treating agents to comprise, whenreduced in moisture by a subsequent step, the following finalcomposition: I

Percent by weight The mixing was continued, water being added as needed,until the wet mixture had the consistency of neat mortar. The wetmixture was then worked into the form of thin long ribbons, and passedto a fiat surface for drying. The ribbons were dried until thepreviously indicated water concentration of about 12.50 percent, byweight of finished product, was obtained. The dried ribbons were thenreshredded to finer form and passed to cigarette forming machinery wherethey were encased in cigarette paper and cut to appropriate size, andotherwise fabricated into finished cigarettes.

The cigarettes were found to be substantially the same as conventionaltobacco cigarettes in color, texture,

flavor, taste, aroma 'and general appearance,-bi1t wet-e also found tobe much milder and less irritating to the mucous membranes of the upperrespiratory tract and to produce substantially no effects attributableto nicotine. In this connection, what small amount of nicotine waspresent was nullified with respect to its vaso-constricting effects bythe action of niacin present in the cigarettes i1. the proportionindicated.

Example VI .An improved nicotine-free smoking composition, particularlyadapted for use in cigarettes, was prepared by an homogenizationtechnique substantially identically as set forth in Example V, exceptthat the composition had the following finished formulation:

Percent by weight Constituents: of final composition Papaya leaves(including 5 percent added stems v and veins) 82.50

Methyl cellulose 4.50 Vanillin 0.50 Maple sugar I 0.50 Gum karaya 2.00Glycerine 3.00 Water 7.00

The composition was then converted into cigarettes by a conventionaltechnique, including re-shedding, encasing in a cigarettepaper andtrimming to length.

Example VII An improved smoking composition, particularly suitable forcigars, was prepared by a conventional homogenization technique frompapaya leaves and tobacco previously cured in a conventional manner. a

Two batches of smoking mixture were prepared. Batch A was utilized inpreparing the filler and binder of the cigar, while batch B was utilizedfor the wrapper.

Batch A comprised a mixture of whole papaya leaves and tobacco leaves,which mixture was finely ground to pass through a, mesh screen. Groundbatch A was then mixed with an aqueous solution of a binder and a casingmat rial and containing other treating agents to provide, when reducedin content during asubsequent step, the following final composition: 0 7

Percent by weight The mixing was continued with the separate addition ofwater until an easily spreadable paste was obtianed. This paste was thenrolled out on a smooth surface into large thin sheets of the desiredthickness and allowed to dry at ambient temperature (about 40 C.) to themoisture content previously specified. The dried sheet;

In addition,v the new cigarettes had were then cutinto suitable sizesfor use as fillers and binders and were then combined with cigarwrappers prepared in generally the same manner but from batch B.

Batch B Comprised papaya leaves and tobacco leaves to which was addedabout 3 percent by weight of papaya leaf veins and stems to lighten thecolor of themixture. As indicated, batch B was processed in a mannersimilar to batch A. However, after grinding, batch B was mixed with acasing material, binder and other agents to provide the following finalcomposition:

Percent by weight Constituents: of final composition Papaya (including 3percent by weight of added veins and stems) 35.50 Tobacco 35.50Hydroxymethyl cellulose 6.00 Water 11.00

Glycerine 7.00 Niacin 1.50 Rutin 1.50 Maple sugar 0.25 Licorice root0.25 Caramel 0.25 Bentonite 0.25 Glass fibers (0.002 inch diameter) 1.00

The mixture was mixed with added water, then spread out to dry in theform of thin sheets, as previously described for batch A mixture.

The sheets were dried at about 700 C. to 11 percent by weight moisturecontent over a short period of time, out into suitably sized pieces andassembled according to conventional cigar making technique. into cigarsas the wrappers thereof. Other compositions prepared from batch A wereutilized as the fillers and binders for the cigars.

The improved cigars had the appearance of high quality commerciallyappealing conventional cigars with a light golden colored wrapper andpleasing aroma, taste and burning qualities. Moreover, the cigars had adescreased nicotine content and were less irritating to the upperrespiratory tract than conventional cigars. No vaso-constrictive effectswere noticeable in the usual smoker from smoking the improved cigars.

Example VIII Improved nicotine-free cigars were prepared by aconventional homogenization technique, as described in Example VI I,from papaya whole leaves and coltsfoot leaves previously cured in aconventional manner.

Batch A smoking mixture was utilized in making the filler and binder andwhen ground and treated with casing material, binding agent, etc.,rolled into sheets and dried, as described in Example VII, yielded thefollowing final composition:

Percent by weight Constituents: of final composition Papaya 80.00Coltsfoot 1.00 Methyl cellulose 5.00 Water 7.00

Glycerine 3.00 Bentonite 1.00

Maple sugar 0.50 Vanillin 0.50

Gum karaya 2.00

Batch B from which the wrapper was made included 4 percent by weight ofpapaya veins and stem added to the whole papaya leaves and coltsfootleaves. After grinding, mixing with casing material, binding and otheragents, rolling out into thin sheets and drying, the resultant wrappersheets had the following final composition:

Percent by weight Constituents: of final composition Papaya (including 4percent by weight of added veins and stem) 80.00 Coltsfoot 1.00 Methylcellulose 6.00 Water 7.00

Glycerine 2.00 Maple sugar 0.50 Vanillin 0.50 Gum karaya 1.00 Glassfibers (0.001 inch diameter) 1.00 Bentonite 1.00

Cigars made from the described compositions were completely free ofnicotine, substantially non-irritating and mild smoking. Moreover, theyhad substantially all of the desirable characteristics of high qualitycigars, including general appearance, aroma and flavor.

From the foregoing, it is readily seen that improved smokingcompositions are provided which overcome the usual objectionsencountered with tobacco compositions. In this connection, the smokingcompositions of the present invention have improved smoking propertieswhile reducing or eliminating the physiological effects of nicotine onthe human system. Various modifications in the compositions of thepresent invention and their methods of preparation as are within theskill of those versed in the art are contemplated as being within thescope of the present invention.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application,U.S. Serial No. 660,451, filed on May 21, 1957.

Certain features of the present invention which are believed to be neware set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. An improved smoking composition comprising a mixture of vegetablefibers, at least about 70 percent by weight of said fibers and at leastabout 49 percent by weight of said composition being papaya leaf.

2. An improved smoking composition comprising a mixture of vegetablefibers, said composition containing at least about 90 percent by weightof said fibers of papaya leaf.

3. An improved, nicotine-free smoking composition comprising a mixtureof nicotine-free vegetable fibers, at least about 70 percent by weightof said fibers and at least about 49 percent by weight of saidcomposition being papaya leaf.

4. An improved, non-nicotine containing smoking composition comprising amixture of non-nicotine containing vegetable fibers, at least 90 percentby weight of said fibers being papaya leaf.

5. An' improved smoking composition comprising a mixture of vegetablefibers, at least about 70 percent by weight of said fibers and at least49 percent by weight of said composition being a mixture of papaya leafand tobacco leaf.

6. An improved smoking composition comprising a mixture of vegetablefibers, said composition containing at least about 90 percent, by weightof said fibers, of a mixture of papaya leaf and tobacco leaf.

7. An improved smoking composition comprising about percent by weight ofa mixture of cured papaya leaf and tobacco leaf, said composition alsocontaining about 15 percent by weight of tobacco casing material.

8. An improved smoking composition comprising a mixture of vegetablefibers and niacin, said fibers containing at least about 70 percent byweight of a mixture of papaya leaf and tobacco and said compositioncontaining at least about 49 percent by weight of a mixture of papayaleaf and tobacco, from about 0.1 to about 2.5 percent by weight ofniacin also being present.

9. An improved, non-nicotine containing smoking composition comprising amixture of nicotine-free vegetable 17 fibers and niacin, said fibermixture containing at least about 70 percent by weight of papaya leafand said composition containing at least about 49 percent by weight ofpapaya leaf, from about 0.1 to about 2.5 percent by weight of niacinalso being present.

10. An improved, non-nicotine containing smoking composition comprisinga mixture of nicotine-free vegetable fibers and niacin, said fibrousmixture containing at least about 70 percent by Weight of papaya leafand said composition containing at least about 49 percent by weight ofpapaya leaf, from about 0.1 to about 2.5 percent, by weight of finalcomposition, of niacin, and 0.1 to about 2.5 percent, by weight of finalcomposition, of rutin also being present.

11. An improved smoking composition particularly suitable for cigarettesand cigars, said composition having been prepared by an homogenizationprocedure and comprising a mixture of dry ground vegetable fibers and asuitable binding agent for said fibers, said fibers being bound into acoherent flexible mass by said binding agent, said fibers containing atleast about 70 percent by weight of a mixture of ground papaya leaf andground tobacco leaf. iv

12. An improved smoking composition particularly suitable for cigarettesand cigars, said composition having been prepared by an homogenizationprocedure and comprising a mixture of ground vegetable fibers and aminor amount of a water-soluble cellulose derivative as a binding agent,said agent in 2 percent by weight aqueous solution having a viscosity ofat least 1500 centipoises at 25 C., said fibers being bound togetherinto a coherent mass by said binding agent, said fibers containing atleast about 70 percent by weight of a mixture of ground papaya leaf andground tobacco leaf.

13. An improved smoking composition particularly suitable for cigarettesand cigars, said composition having been prepared by homogenization andreconstitution of a mixture of vegetable fibers and a minor amount of awater-soluble cellulose derivative as a binding agent into the form ofsheets, said agent in 2 percent by Weight aqueous solution having aviscosity of at least 1500 centipoises at 25 C., said fibers being boundtogether in said sheets by said binding agent, said composition alsocontaining flavoring agents, said fibers being present in an amount ofat least about 70 percent, by weight of final composition, andcontaining at least about 70 percent, by weight of said fibers, of amixture of papaya leaf and tobacco leaf.

14. An improved nicotine-free smoking composition particularly suitablefor cigarettes and cigars, said com- 18 position having been prepared byan homogenization procedure and comprising a mixture of ground vegetablefibers and a suitable binding agent therefor, said fibers being boundtogether in a coherent mass by said binding agent, said fiberscontaining at least about 70 percent by weight of ground papaya leaf.

15. An improved nicotine-free smoking composition particularly suitablefor cigarettes and cigars, said composition having been prepared by anhomogenization procedure and comprising a mixture of finely groundvegetable fibers including at least 70 percent by weight of cured groundpapaya leaf, and a water-soluble cellulose derivative as a bindingagent, said agent holding said fibers in a coherent mass, said agenthaving a viscosity of at least 1500 centipoises in 2 percent by weightaqueous solution at 25 C.

16. An improved nicotine-free smoking composition particularly suitablefor cigarettes, said composition having been prepared by homogenizationand reconstitution of a nicotine-free-mixture of vegetable fibers,including at least 70 percent, by weight of said fibers, of cured papayaleaf, a water-soluble cellulose derivative as a binding agent, saidagent holding said fibers in a coherent mass, said agent having aviscosity of at least 1500 centipoises in 2 percent by weight aqueoussolution at 25 C., and

flavoring agents, said fibrous mixture being present in an amount of atleast about 70 percent, by weight of final composition.

17. An improved smoking composition particularly suitable for cigarwrappers, said composition having been prepared by homogenization andreconstitution into thin' sheets of a mixture of dry ground vegetablefibers, in-- cluding at least about 70 percent, by weight of saidfibers, of a mixture ofcured ground whole papaya leaf,"

References Cited in the file of this patent Dispensatory of the US. ofA., Osol, Farr-ar, 1955, pub. by J. B. Lippincott, 2139 pages, pp. 1782and 1783 especially cited.

Plant Alkaloids, Thomas Anderson Henry, pub. by

Blakistons Sons, 1924, 445 pages, p. 381 especially cited.

1. AN IMPROVED SMOKING COMPOSITION COMPRISING A MIXTURE OF VEGATABLE FIBERS, AT LEAST ABOUT 70 PERCENT BY WEIGHT OF SAID FIBERS AND AT LEAST ABOUT 49 PERCENT BY WEIGHT OF SAID COMPOSITION BEING PAPAYA LEAF. 